Hersi Gurey Capo | |
|---|---|
 Hersi Gurey in Rome, 1938 | |
| Native name | Xirsi Guray |
| Born | .svg){kind=small} Italian Somaliland |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Italy |
| Branch | Royal Corps of Colonial Troops |
| Years of service | late 19th century – early 20th century |
| Rank | Commander |
| Commands | Dubats Askaris Zaptié |
| Battles / wars | Second Italo-Ethiopian War |
| Other work | Political delegate (Rome, 1938) |
Capo Xirsi Guray (1870–1957) better known as Xirsi Gurey was an elder and leader of the Sacad Habar Gidir clan, subclan Reer Hilowle He was a prominent ally of Fascist Italy, participating in conquest from Puntland to Ethiopia, alongside setting the foundation for modern Somalia.[1][2]
Life
[edit]As the Colonial War grew, with the breakdown of neutral people and no single successor to Italian and British rule emerging, the term "traditional" or "Capo" came into use in Somalia to describe heads of tribal and clan organizations and a complex web of regional and local domination.[3]
Xirsi is listed as the main elder to receive a silver medal in 1928 on behalf of the slain war hero, the Italian Dubat soldier Botan Warsame, from the Sacad Reer Jalaf clan for his leading contribution to the Italo - Somali War: Campaign of the Sultanates and the capture of Gorrahei from the Ogaden supporters, where both the sultanates and Gorrahei fighters had initially sought assistance from the Ethiopian Monarchy.[4]
As a result of the successful conquest of Ethiopia, Capo Hersi alongside Olol Dinle and several chiefs were given an official invitation to meet Hitler and Mussolini in Rome, 1938.[5]
Many of his descendants until today play a prominent role in Somalia.
Military history of Hersi Gurey
[edit]Hersi gurey is most notable for his participation in the Campaign of the Sultanates. Hersi was a major ally for Fascist Italy, in their campaigns against the northern Somali sultanates of Hobyo, and Majeerteenia. He led his soldiers throughout the rugged terrain, and despite having heavy casualties, his victory was never forgotten. Not by his Dubats or Italian allies.[6]
Alongside Sultan Olol Dinle Hersi played a prominent role during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War in which Italy successfully conquered and colonised Ethiopia from 1936 to 1941 where Hersi sent troops to his ally and kinsman Sultan Olol Dinle.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ Il somalo della Somalia grammatica e testi del benadir, darod e dighil. Martin Mario. 1955. p. 359.
- ^ CON SElL DE TUTELLE (PDF). UN Digital Library. 1952. p. 1.
- ^ COMMUNICATION DE N0TABLES, SANTONS ET ANCIENS DE TRIBU AVERGHEDIR SAAD CONCERNANT IA SOMALIE SOUS ADMINISTATIONE ITALIENNE (PDF). UN Digital Library. 1953. p. 1.
- ^ La storia delle colonie italiane raccontata dai documenti. Alberto Alpozzi. 2020. p. 1.
- ^ The International Journal of African Historical Studies. Africana Publishing Company. 1977. p. 227.
- ^ "27 febbraio 1927: In Somalia si concludono le operazioni per la pacificazione dei sultanati". Italia Coloniale (in Italian). 27 February 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
- ^ Bollettino ufficiale delle nomine, promozioni e destinazioni negli ufficiali e sottufficiali del R. esercito italiano e nel personale dell'amministrazione militare. Ministero della guerra. 1940. p. 2968.